In this article, we examine this group of illnesses as culture-driven disorders to emphasize the central importance of various societal constraints in the ultimate presentation of patients with these illnesses. We will examine them by first understanding the purpose they serve, the underlying factors that compel societal institutions to sanctify these disorders as diseases, and how research is beginning to examine the behaviour that captures and packages these symptoms to produce their clinical presentation.

With this research understanding, rheumatologists may be able to offer patients more useful action plans, but likely changes in societal approaches to the expressions of distress and changes in disability and compensation systems will also be required.